NEPALGUNJ: Majority of girl students in community schools of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City were found not attending school during their monthly period.

Absenteeism was therefore found rife among menstruating students due to lack of adequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities in schools.

They have cited the lack of gender-friendly toilets and unavailability of water, soaps and trash bin as reasons behind their absence from schools during their period.

The girl students have been discouraged to attend classes regularly and concentrate on their studies which eventually contributes to their decreased academic performance, thereby widening gender-gap in enrollment and retention at schools.

A 10th grader, Sweta Kanaujiya shared, "The school toilets are not clean. There isn't a proper bin to dispose the used sanitary pads which makes me stay at home during my period."

There are altogether 5,773 girl students studying in 43 community schools in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis.

The Sub-Metropolitan City, under its five-year-plan has suggested to construct gender-friendly toilets in all community schools in its area, according to the Education Department Chief Man Prasad Regmi. He informed that only a few community schools in Nepalgunj has gender-friendly toilets.

Teacher Mohini Yogi was of the view that teaching and learning activities for girl students, especially among 6th-10th graders, were affected in lack of gender-friendly toilets. She said ensuring the MHM facilities and gender-friendly toilets in their schools could put an end to the absenteeism.